Nevada Gaming Control Board unanimously recommends amendments

Last week reportedly saw the Nevada Gaming Control Board use its latest public hearing to unanimously recommend that a number of amendments to the western state’s gaming regulations be adopted by the counterpart Nevada Gaming Commission.

According to a report from the Las Vegas Review-Journal newspaper, the three-member Nevada Gaming Control Board endorsed the changes via April 4 sessions held simultaneously in Carson City and Las Vegas ahead of the next meeting of the Nevada Gaming Commission on April 19.

The newspaper reported that one of the recommended amendments would modify a section of the state’s Regulation 5 and prohibit casinos and sportsbooks from allowing players to place wagers if they are ‘visibly impaired by alcohol or any other drug’. This change, which would additionally forbid the serving of more alcohol to intoxicated patrons, was purportedly prompted by the 2016 legalization of marijuana in Nevada and has not faced objections from any industry representatives.

The Las Vegas Review-Journal reported that a separate suggested change would see the language of Regulation 22 changed in order to broaden the definition of sportsbook ‘payouts’ to encompass chips, cash and credit that could be used towards new wagers. This alteration would also purportedly permit successful bettors to use their passport as a form of identification while those who have placed a wager via the mail would be able to utilize a photocopy of their passport or driver’s license in order to collect their winnings.

The newspaper reported that September saw sportsbooks in Nevada post record volumes of $558.4 million. The adjustment is moreover set to require that operators report all ‘suspicious transactions’ rather than just wagers. This alteration would furthermore mandate that all bets lodged by coaches and athletes be recorded regardless of the sport or level of competition.

The report from the Las Vegas Review-Journal detailed that a third amendment would mandate that the wording of Regulation 4 be changed in order to require the Nevada Gaming Commission to take action on any application by the sixth month after its submission or recommendation rather than by the existing ‘within six months’ deadline.

The newspaper reported that the Nevada Gaming Control Commission moreover recommended amending Regulation 30 in order to alphabetize five non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs permissible for use in horseracing. It explained that this change would see only one of these substances allowed in a horse’s system at any one time so long as the level was within limits established by the Association of Racing Commissioners.

Finally, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported that this alteration would also permit horse owners and trainers to uncouple multiple entries in a single race so long as they had received permission from the relevant state steward.

Nevada Gaming Control Board unanimously recommends amendments was last modified: April 11th, 2018 by Adam Morgan